Combing-machine



J. W. NASMITH.

COMBING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 17, 1916.

1,401,179, Patented Dec. 27, 1921.

3 SHEETS"SHEET v I I, 1/1 B W A I J. W. NASMITH. COMBING MACHiNE.APPLICATION FILED MAYIT. 191s.

Patented'Dec. 27, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- J. w. NASM ITH. COMBING MACHIN E. APPLICATION FILEDMAY 17, 1916.

1,401,179, Patented Dec.27,1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES JOHN WILLIAM NASMITH, OF STOCKPORT, ENGLAND.

- COMBING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 27, 1921.

Application filed May 17, 1916. Serial No. 98,207.

(GRANTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1921, 41 STAT. L,1313.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN VILLIAM NA- snrrrr, of Griffin Vorks, Portwood,Stockport, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCombing- Machines, (for which I have filed an application in England,February 14, 1914, Patent No. 3871,) of which the following is aspecifieation.

This invention relates to combing machines of the Heilmann type and thechief objects are (1) To so pivot the nipper and top comb in combingmachines in which these organs oscillate between the combing cylinderand the detaching roller, placed in close proximity thereto, as in theNasmith comber, that their movements are reduced to the minimum and sothat they can be adjusted and operated independently of each other,without disturbing the relation between the paths (preferably parallelarcs during the detaching period) traversed by the point of the nipperand that of the comb, and without disturbing any of the otheradjustments of the comb such as depth or angle and further to providemeans to lift the comb (a) at the rear end of its path the better tostrike out the waste and (b) to arrange it so that it can be bodilylifted for cleaning and dressing.

(2) To provide means to close the nipper before it reaches the rearmostend of the path and to open it again when or before it commences to moveforward, this being necessary as will be further explained by theshortened path of the nipper.

(3) Having made the adjustment of the top comb independent of that ofthe nipper to combine it with that of the top detaching roller so thatwhile each can be separately adjusted, they can be set together nearerto or farther from the nipper without disturbing any other adjustment.

These objects are achieved in the following manner. In the now wellknown Nasmith comber the nipper swings on a pivot placed below thecylinder and the point of the nipper aw descrlbes an arc whose convexityis upward, and which if continued in both directions touches theperipheries of the detaching roller and the c linder (see Fig. 1 ofLetters Patent of Great Britain, No. 16001 of 1901.) All the parts ofthe nipper are above this are and describe longer arcs the more remotethey are from the pivot. I

By pivoting the nipper a suitable distance above the cylinder the weightis pendent and the arc, with convexity downward, that will touch thecylinder and detaching roller may be much shorter than the one citedabove. Also in this case the point of the nipper aw is the part mostremote from the pivot and all the operative heavy parts being introducedbetween it and the pivot greatly reduces the amplitude of the movementof the swinging mass. I further relieve the nipper of the weight ofthe'top comb by hinging the latter upon the same or upon approximatelythe same center as the nipper. The point of the top comb needles canthen always traverse an are parallel or concentric with that of thenipper point during the detaching period, and the top comb may beoperated and adjusted independently of the nipper and may travel ashorter distance than the nip per in accordance with the British PatentNo. 4647/11 granted to me. More detailed description is given withreference to the drawings.

In the i asmith comber the nipper closes at that point in its backwardmovement where it meets the first cylinder needles and begins to openwhen it reaches the same point in its forward movement, and this is soonenough, as it is far enough from the detaching rollers to permit thecombed nipper tuft to rise to the nip of the detaching rollers, withoutthe tips brushing against the previously combed fibers lying around thebottom roller. But when the path of the nipper has been reduced to theminimum, the nipper must still close when meeting the first cylinderneedles and before reaching the rear end of its path, and this point istoo near the detaching rollers, that is to say too late in the forwardmovement to open the nipper and the tips of the fibers composing thecombed nipper tuft touch the detaching roller fibers in rising and arecurled and spoil the piecing. Means must therefore be provided to openthe nip per again when or before it begins to move forward and will befurther described in reference to the drawings.

Lastly the movement of the nipper having been reduced and in accordancewith British Patent No. 4647/11 that of the top 7 connected together,one of which is rocked,

either from the nipper shaft or from a separate cam given a similarmotion to that of the nipper as regards time. In this way, While theroller and the comb may be separately adjusted in relation to the nipperthey may also be jointly adjusted to the nipper without disturbing theirrelatioi'i to each other.

Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the are at or near the center ofwhich the nipper maybe pivoted.

Fig. 2 is a section of the parts above the cylinder but with the feedmechanism omitted.

Fig. is a section through the nipper showing the mechanism for openingand closing.

Fig. at shows the top comb and operative parts and those for rocking thetop detach ing roller.

Fig. 5 shows the mechanism for operating the feed roller. 7 p

Referring to Fig. 1 A is the cylinder and D the detaching roller a b isan arc with convexity downward that touches the peripheries of A and Dand the center of the arc is at C at or near which the nipper ispivoted. The radius of the arc is chosen as short as will permit theconvenient introduction of the various parts of the nipper between thearc and the center. It will be obvious on comparingthis arc with thatshown in Fig. 1 of my patent specification 16001 of 1901 that the formeris much the shorter of the two; in practice 19; as compared with 2 orthereabouts, 'which is a great mechanical advantage.

In Fig. 3 N is a block free to rock on the fixed pivot N. Secured to Nand adjustable vertically thereon is the nipper frame N connected byrods N to levers keyed on the oscillating nipper shaft below thecylinder (not shown). The bridge B is cast to gether with an arm N ateither end and carries pins 39 and the bottom nipper jaws 22 The upperjaw 79 is secured at either end to arms N free to run on the pivots p.The up and down movement of the rods N causes the whole nipper tooscillate on the fixed pivots N r a In Fig. 4 C is the top comb blade Cthe bridge, secured at each end to arm C In each arm is formed an openslot engaging on a bowl'C loose on the pivot N and in a projection oneach arm is the adjusting screw G resting normally on the bowl C and rgulating the depth of the comb.

It is evident that rocking on the same center the point of the comb andof the nipper will describe parallel arcs and having secured thisconcentricity it is easy to rock the top comb by independent means whilethe nipper is further relieved of the weight of the comb. The top comb,though independently operated may move in time with the nipper but ashorter distance and its distance from the nipper, when both are intheir most forward position, which determines the amount of waste. maybe easily regulated, as will'be further described without disturbingeither the angle or depth of penetration of the comb.

\Vhen the detaching operation is com- )leted and the top comb goes backwith the nipper it is desirable to lift it as is usual. lVith the combpivotedon the nipper pivot this may be done as follows :--C is a rockingshaft carried in hearings in the framing, voscillatedfrom the samesource the nipper or from a separate source giving a similar movement.Blocks C are adjustable around the shaft by screws C (as shown in Fig.2) and carry pendent rods C which pass freely through swivels whosepivots C engage freely in the upper end of the comb arms C The members Care slidable upon rods C, movement in one direction being adjustablylimited by nuts C. Thus the member C has a slight lost motion in theswivel'member at C This lost'motion will be taken up when, in swingingabout the center C the member C causes the pivot C to swing in a smallare about the center 0*. The arcs of the path of the lower end of theswivel and of the nut-s on the lower end of the member G intersect aftera slight swing of the members C and thereafter the pivot C will travelin a circle concentric with the nuts on the member C causing thebo-lt Cto rise from the roll 0*, thereby causing the member C to slide on saidroll. For a short time only, therefore, the member 1 will rotate about Nas a center and the comb will travel in an are parallel with the lowernipper frame. By lifting the top comb bodily by hand the swivels C slideup'the rods C and the slot is completely disengaged from the bowl C sothat the comb can then be swung outward to the dotted position forcleaning or dressing the needles.

By adjusting the blocks C and their rods C round the shaft C each combmay be set nearer to or farther from the nipper, and all the combs(usually six) having been set alike, they may all be moved together bysuitable adjusting means at the end of the shaft C Referring again toFig. 3, a link N connect's N to a lever N which pivots on a pin Nsecured in a lever N which at the proper time receives a to and fromovement from the lever N" keyed on the shaft N In lever N is formed aslot N. N is a stud fixed in the frame of the machine and N a bowlthereon, facilitating the movement of N. A spring N pulling constantlyin the direction of the arrow is secured to the left hand end of N. C isa shaft in a fixed position and loose thereon is the bowl N. Set screw Nin lever N may rest against the bowl N. The nipper is shown at theforward end of its path and it will be understood that it moves about 12to the right, carrying with it pin 12', but the spring N is holdingscrew N against bowl N so that lever N and link N cannot move withoutsome force greater than that of the spring. The pin connecting N to N isintermediate between fixed center N and pin 19, which, moving to theright closes the nipper. As soon as the jaws close the continuedmovement of the nipper and 79 pushes up the link N and moves the lever Naround its pivot N taking the screw N off the bowl N and stretching thespring N causing the jaws to nip securely the material to be combed.When the cylinder combing is completed it is necessary as explaine toopen the nipper, as soon as or before the nipper begins to move forward.F or this purpose the shaft N is turned slightly by suitable meansmoving levers N and N and with them the pivot N to the right. The pinconnecting lever N to link h strives to traverse an arc whose center isthe lower pin in N It does so till the screw N comes again in contactwith the bowl N If at this point the nipper moves forward it begins atonce to open and if before the nipper moves forward, the lever N and pinN be moved farther to the right the upper pin in N can no longer followthe are but is pulled up in the direction of the arrow R and the nipperbegins to open even though the nipper may not have commenced to moveforward.

The shaft X Fig. t is carried in hearings in the framing. Levers X arekeyed on shaft X to which are pivoted adjusting rods X connected byswivel and adjusting nuts to hell crank lever X rocking on a fixedcenter X". In the lower end of X is a pin X on which hinges theweighting hook X for rocking the upper detaching roller d. The foregoingarrangement is illustrated and described in British Patent 16001 of1901.

Fig. 5 shows the feed mechanism. F is the feed roller on the end ofwhich is a ratchet of the ordinary kind and. a loose lever F having theusual pawl. F is linked by F to the pendant lever pivoted on the fixedcenter N The link F connects the lever F to the lever F clipped on theboss rection and of the levers and F in the opposite direction.

Claims I. In a combing machine the combination of a combing cylinder, atdetaching roller, a nipper pivoted above the cylinderin such a positionthat its point moves on an are that lies closely adjacent to theperipheries of the cylinder and of the detaching roller, and a top combpivoted approximately on the same center as the nipper.

2. In a combing machine the combination of a combing cylinder, adetaching roller, a nipper pivoted above the cylinder in such a positionthat its point moves on an are that lies closely adjacent to theperipheries of the cylinder, and of'the detaching roller, and a top combpivoted on the same center as the nipper.

In a combing machine, the combination of a combing cylinder, a detachingroller, a nipper frame, a shaft pivotally supporting said frame, and atop comb also pivotally connected with said shaft.

4. In a combing machine, the combination with a combing cylinder, adetaching roller, a. nipper frame, a shaft pivotally supporting saidframe, a top comb arm movably supported by said shaft, and a top combcarried by said arm.

In a combing machine, the combination of a combing cylinder, a detachingroller, a nipper frame, a shaft pivot-ally supporting said frame, a topcomb arm having a slot to receive said shaft, means for adjusting saidarm with respect to said shaft, and a top comb pivoted to said arm.

6. In a combing machine, the combination with a combing cylinder, a topcomb, a detaching roller, a pivoted nipper frame, a nipper memberpivoted thereto, a control lever connected with said nipper member, andmeans engaging said lever for timing the movement of said nipper member.

7. In a combing machine, the combination with a combing cylinder. a topcomb, a detaching roller, a pivoted nipper frame, a nipper memberpivoted to said frame, a control lever connected with said nippermember, a movable arm to which said lever is pivoted, and means forshifting said arm.

8. In a combing machine, the combination with a combing cylinder, a topcomb, a detaching roller, a pivoted nipper frame, a nipper memberpivoted thereto, a spring held control lever connected with said nippermember, a reciprocatory member to which said lever is pivotallyconnected, and means for limiting movement of said reciprocatory member.

9. In a combing machine the combination with acombing cylinder, adetaching roller, and a nipper; of a top comb, arms carrying the saidtop comb and each provided with an open slot, a fixed pivot adapted tosupport the comb carrying arms, and adjusting screws in the said armsthe said screws being adapted to rest upon the fixed pivot.

10. In a combing machine the combination with. a combing cylinder, adetaching roller, and a nipper pivoted above the cylinder in such aposition that its point moves on an are that lies closely adjacent tothe peripheries of the cylinder and of the de taching roller, and a topcomb pivoted approximately on the same center as the nipper; of a topcomb, arms carrying the said top comb and each provided With an openslot, a fixed pivot adapted to support the combcarrying arms andadjusting screws in the said arms the said screws being adapt ed to restupon the fixed pivot.

11. In a combing machine the combination with a feed roller, a combingcylinder, 3

top comb, a detaching roller and a nipper pivoted above the cylinder insuch a position that its point moves on an are that lies closelyadjacent to the peripheries of the cylinder and of the detaching roller;of pawl and ratchet mechanism adapted to impart motion to the feedroller, and means for transmitting motion from the nipper to the saidpawl and ratchet mechanism.

12. In a combing machine the combination with a feed roller, a combingcylinder, a top comb, a detaching roller and a nipper comprising two awsand means for opening and closing the same, the said nipper beingpivoted above the cylinder in such a position that its point moves on anarc that lies closely adjacent to the peripheries of the cylinder and ofthe detaching roller; of pawl and ratchet mechanism adapted to impartmotion to the feed roller, and means for transmitting motion from a jawof the nipper to the said pawl and ratchet mechanism;

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature, in presence oftwowitnesses.

JOHN WVILLIAM NASMITH.

Witnesses V MALooLM SMETI-iURs'r, ERNALD SIMPSON MosnLEY.

